Deira Lahore (632 Cathcart Rd., Glasgow G42 8AE) has changed hands twice since Hector first visited in 2014. In 2016, Waris and his business partner took over Deira Lahore. Despite the potential for Curry of the highest quality, visits were few. Seating was always an afterthought at Deira Lahore, though Waris did squeeze Marg and Hector in for a memorable feast on the last visit in 2021. Since Waris’ passing, Hector had not returned, until today.
It was on last week’s first visit to Zaiqa Sweet & Curry House that the refurbished Deira Lahore caught the eye.
The counter has been moved to the rear thus providing seating for up to ten. No facilities, this remains primarily a Takeaway. I did go in to fetch a menu and survey the fayre on display.
On the menu, the Karahi Dishes, especially – Fish – are worthy of further investigation, also exactly what is their Chilli Korma (£6.99) about. Is this the much sought after Desi Qorma?
14.00, a Monday, and no Marg today. The same mature couple I saw last week were manning the shop. The lady, clearly from these parts, informed me that they took over in March. I held up a photo of Waris, whom they recognised immediately.
Rather than go to the menu I decided to sample the pret a manger. In Lamb, there was a Lamb Curry, also Lamb and Potato.
Anything else we can do in ten minutes – was claimed.
Aloo Gosht – was ordered plus Rice. The chap suggested Fried Rice. I see neither of these on the menu.
The lady quoted special offers in purchasing multiple Breads. Rice would suffice.
I took a small table in front of what I hoped was a heater, but must have been an insect assassinator.
From here, Spice Level was discussed. My – above medium, not crazy – was relayed to the kitchen as – Spicy.
I was not alone for long, a chap came in and ordered an Omelette plus Chapatti.
There was no interaction.
Desi Nashta is part of the weekend menu.
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The White Rice had a few Seeds embedded, Cumin I hoped, but this was never verified.
Fried Rice? Not with this texture. Stodgy – would be extreme, but this Sticky Rice was not the separate-grained Basmati one is used to.
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Lamb & Potato Curry
Aloo Gosht – this was not. With a blended Masala, not dissimilar in appearance to that marvelled at two days ago at Curry Pot, this was classic Curry. Traditional Aloo Gosht has Shorva. There were no Whole Spices, so this was not – Desi – in the parameters established in Curry-Heute.
Nine decent-sized pieces of Meat and half as many pieces of Potato, so a good portion for the price, which had yet to be established.
No sense of Cumin from the Rice, and so the first intake of Flavour was from the Masala. A welcomed – kick – and suitably Seasoned, there was a slight Sweetness behind the Spice, nothing to worry about.
The lady asked for assurance, all was well at this stage.
Cutting into the Potato, the unexpected white was almost brilliant. Ah, freshly made, this Potato has not been sat in the Masala for very long. Consequently, there had been little absorption of Flavour. Slightly firm, the Potatoes could have done with an extra couple of minutes. Time for the Meat.
Again on the firm side, more than a few more minutes cooking required here. Still, the Meat was by no means tough, some days one just has to chew more.
There was an aftertaste when biting into the Lamb. Normally, this is celebrated, the Meat giving back the Spice, but what was I tasting?
Cheesy! – was an interpretation made by Marg re her Butter Chicken at Akbar’s last week. Not Cheesy, and not as pervasive as – Soapy – which was briefly considered, somewhere in between.
Real Punjabi Taste – is posted proudly on the wall. Having visited and reviewed every Punjabi Curry House in the city, I had not tasted this before. Or had I?
There is a Spice which does not sit well on the Hector palate. This Curry was not as awful as that served at the always doomed Sholeh Persian Restaurant, or the somehow ongoing Obsession of India, neither of which are Punjabi. At the latter venue they tried to explain the strange Flavour as being down to – bone marrow. Today’s Curry was – Boneless.
Fennel, even Caraway, Dill, Ajwain – are possible candidates. One thing was certain, this Curry was distant from the Clove-Cinnamon-Cardamom blend that prevails on the Southside.
Hector can enjoy a new experience, even when the food is not to his taste.
The Bill
£10.99
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was presented to the lady just as another customer entered. Discussion curtailed, questions still to be answered.
With the actual premises for Deira Lahore being long established, time will tell how Deira Lahore New-co fares with Zaiqa Curry House a few doors down.
2026 Menu
